The EIU view

Policy mismanagement will weigh heavily on the outlook in some countries. Although elections have become more common, poll seasons are prone to violence and instability. Following a dismal performance in 2016, we expect only a lacklustre recovery to take hold in 2017. Growth will average 2.9% in 2017-21. Softer Chinese growth is likely to translate into a drop in trade, investment and credit inflows from 2018.

Latest coverage:

Protests break out over CFA franc peg
Protests in Benin, Gabon, Senegal, Cameroon and Mali are unlikely to outweigh the risks to macroeconomic stability from a removal of the peg to the euro.